Head Coach Donna Wise

Entering her fifth season as Blue Devil bench boss, Donna Wise has earned a reputation as an organizer and an administrator with a solid knowledge of basketball X’s and O’s. In the 2005- 2006 season, Coach Wise guided her team to the most successful season in program history. The record-breaking season was notable for most wins and best overall record in a season at 17-10. The team also established the best home court record at 10 -1 and the best SUNYAC record of 11-5. This season the program will strive to perform big and live up to the standard that has been set with four seniors leading the way.

Wise started down the coaching road in June 1984 as a graduate assistant at Millersville (Pa.) University. She spent two seasons at Millersville, an NCAA Division II school, including a 17-9 campaign in 1984-85. That team reached the semifinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament.

She also assisted the women’s athletic office at Millersville. In addition to regular office duties, she was responsible for helping run the 1985 PSAC tennis championships at the Hershey Convention Center and the First Dutch Country Basketball Tournament, which featured Division II and III schools and was hosted by Millersville.

Wise’s first job as a head coach came in June 1987 at York (Pa.) College. Over the course of the next 10 years, Wise coached women’s basketball and softball, taught physical education courses, and served as assistant athletic director.

After three seasons as an independent, York joined the Capital Athletic Conference (NCAA Division III) and quickly made its mark in the conference in women’s basketball. The Spartans appeared in seven straight conference semifinal games. Her teams produced one honorable mention All-American, numerous all-conference players and five 1,000-point scorers. York participated internationally in the Bahamas in 1992.

Her organizational skills once again came to the fore. She was on the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional committee for three years, and was the Capital Athletic Conference basketball committee chairperson for two seasons. She also researched the statistical history of the York College women’s basketball program.

Among her duties as assistant athletic director (a position she held for eight years) was serving on the conference board of directors. She also was in charge of scheduling for five women’s sports, served on the athletic board and was a committee member of the Student-Affairs Division. In 10 seasons coaching women’s softball at York, her teams played for CAC championships and several of her players received all-conference honors.

Wise left York College in June 1997 to become the associate head coach at her alma mater, Lock Haven (Pa.) University, a NCAA Division II school. She was responsible for player recruitment, practice planning, in-game coaching, scouting, off-season conditioning, weight training, team building, academic monitoring – duties similar to those performed by a head coach. Her work helped produce a 1,000-point scorer, scholar-athlete award winners and several PSAC all-conference selections.

Wise also assisted in team travel arrangements, including a 2001 trip to Italy. She co-directed fundraising projects such as an Elderhostel event, and community service gatherings such as Kids Night Out and pool parties. She helped raise an estimated $100,000 through fundraising projects.

Wise has participated in numerous basketball camps, has spoken at schools and camps, has attended a multitude of professional coaching clinics and has been a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association for over 20 years.

She is a graduate of Lebanon (Pa.) Catholic High School, where she was voted top female athlete in the school after participating in basketball and softball. She then moved on to Lock Haven and excelled as a playmaking guard. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education, with a concentration in art and recreation. Wise also holds a Masters of Education degree from Millersville University in athletic advising and counseling of the student-athlete.

Assistant Coach Leah Magestro

Fredonia State assistant coach Leah Magestro brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Blue Devils program.

Coach Magestro is a graduate of Milligan College (Tenn.) earning a Bachelor of Health & Physical Education along with her teaching certification. She also holds a Masters degree in Counselor Education from Edinboro University.

Her coaching resume includes serving as the head coach for five seasons at Lock Haven University and interim head coach at Clarion (Pa.) University. In addition, she held assistant coaching positions at Lock Haven, Clarion and Edinboro Universities.

Magestro has been an administrator at numerous basketball camps, including director for fives seasons at the United States Military Academy at West Point and the NBA Detroit Pistons Camp Spectacular.